Equinox Summit Building Cleantech Roadmap

In a city whose name conjures defeat and end of empire, the “Equinox Summit: Energy 2030” hopes to steer the world away from crisis and calamity.

A lofty goal for a meeting, for sure, but the organizers of the Waterloo, Ontario, confab are unapologetic. With the June 5-9 event, nearly two years in the planning, they’re bent on not merely airing viewpoints about world energy needs as CO2 levels rise and global population climbs toward 7 billion. Instead, they’re aiming for “the cooperative creation of a blueprint document that shortlists a set of key technologies that could transform the current carbon‐heavy scenario, as well as … a road map on how to implement these innovations by 2030.”

image via Waterloo Global Science Initiative

The Waterloo Global Science Initiative was formed by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the University of Waterloo for the specific purpose of organizing this event. And while they’re promising to bring together “pioneering scientific experts with next-generation leaders from around the globe,” not all the action will take place in Waterloo. Organizers say they plan to stream daily speakers, videos, panel debates and the final presentation live and on-demand to create “global engagement in this important energy dialogue.”

Although a number of high-powered participants are confirmed, the organizers are looking for people between the ages of 20 and 30 with an expertise in policy, politics, civil society or business, as as well as demonstrated interest in energy issues, science and technology, to take part in the summit. Applications are due by April 15 and more information is available here.